"Drink water and stay hydrated this summer" says Dubai Municipality

Duabi, UAE: It is possible to avoid heat stress despite soaring temperatures if you follow basic guidelines during the summer months, said a senior municipality official on Wednesday.

The civic body on Tuesday launched a "Water and Oxygen" initiative to encourage residents to drink water - health experts recommend eight glasses of water a day.

"Water is not only one of the basic elements of this universe but also the chief fuel that powers almost all life processes," said Zohoor Al Sabagh, Director of Public Health Service Department of Dubai Municipality.

The water initiative is held in tandem with the municipality’s yearly summer campaign, which runs for three months until the end of August, and targets workers, beachgoers, desert campers, residents and tourists.

"High temperature and humidity leads to excessive sweating, as the body tries to cool down, and results in rapid dehydration, which causes various heat-related illnesses and can also lead to heat exhaustion and heatstroke if not controlled. It is necessary to drink plenty of water," said Raed Al Marzouqi, Head of Occupational Health and Safety Section.

During the summer months, the municipality will be visiting companies in the private and public sectors where brochures and posters will be distributed in different languages.

The campaign also aims at educating workers about the dangers of heat stress, create awareness of its risks and applyling the best practices in work sites during the summer, as well as how to treat heat stress.

"Employers should provide a constant supply of cool drinking water and electrolyte replacement drinks, and have a shaded or well-ventilated resting area. But workers should also report any symptoms of heat stress to their supervisors, and if they feel unwell on the job," Al Marzouqi said.